“Building of Architectural or Historic Interest Grade I
Liverpool Road Station
The world’s first passenger railway station, terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester
railway which was opened by the Duke of Wellington on 15th September 1830”
Plaque Factfile
Location: Liverpool Road, Castlefield
Erected: 1986
The History
This little black commemorative plaque can be found at the former site of Liverpool Road Station in Castlefield.
The station opened on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in Manchester on 15th September 1830. Liverpool Road Station proudly stood as the Manchester terminus of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway. All services in and out of the station were hauled by timetabled steam locomotives.
The railway carried only first and second class passengers, with each class having its own booking hall and waiting room. Handwritten tickets were usually purchased from an agent at an inn or a hotel, and passengers would then be taken to the station by horse omnibuses. On arrival at the station, passengers were taken care of by licensed outdoor porters taking charge of their luggage, and indoor porters to haul their belongings on the station platform where it would then be strapped to the carriage roofs.
A bell ring would sound to alert passengers that they were able to enter the platform and board the train, and a signal of departure would then be given by the guard’s trumpet or horn.
In 1844, the decision was made to close the station to passenger services, as Liverpool Road was eventually superseded by Manchester Victoria station once the line had been extended to join the Manchester and Leeds Railway at Hunt’s Bank.
Liverpool Road is the world’s oldest surviving terminal railway station.
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